The European Green Party has called for urgent European support for the Serbian people's ongoing protests demanding justice, transparency, and democratic governance.
The demonstrations were initially sparked by the collapse of the roof of Novi Sad railway station, resulting in 15 deaths. Outrage about widespread corruption and state negligence has fueled public outrage. What began as student-led protests has grown into a nationwide movement, with professors, lawyers, and artists joining calls for a democratic change after 12 years of Vučić rule (first as prime minister, then as president) that has become increasingly authoritarian and non-democratic, with suppression of independent journalism.
The government has threatened to lower the salaries of professors joining the strike. Students have suffered violent attacks at the hands of masked and unmasked SNS sympathizers.
The EPP-affiliated ‘Serbian Progressive Party’ (SNS) of Vučić is an associate member of the European People’s Party, presided by German politician Manfred Weber.
Vula Tsetsi, European Green Party co-chair, stated: “The people of Serbia are fighting bravely for accountability and justice in the face of government corruption and political oppression. We condemn SNS' threats towards the students and professors as well as the violence prompted by their rhetoric. The European Commission must speak out urgently rather than standing passively by. Europe must support the protestors’ demands for the Serbian government to be open, transparent, and accessible to citizens and to work towards fullfilling student's demands for independent institutions and a government that serves its people. The European People’s Party should ask its member party SNS to respect the rule of law.”
Ciarán Cuffe, European Green Party co-chair, added:
"Serbia’s future home is in the European Union. Therefore, the European Commission must now put pressure on the Serbian government to defend democracy, and be open, transparent, and accessible to citizens. The grassroots movement in Serbia shows the people's resilience and determination to protect their rights. The EU must stand firm in defending democratic values and ensure that a partnership respects those principles."
The European Green Party has welcomed the Serbian party Zeleno-levi front (Green-left front) as a member party in December last year, and pledges continued solidarity with Serbian civil society in their fight for democracy and justice.
Green-left front expresses its "full support for the student protests and demands and calls for the fight against corruption in Serbia to succeed".
